Carrie from greenbean caserole blog site shared this awesome GLASS ETCHING 'recipe' and I am sharing with you.

doris...so you want to try glass etching, huh?...it's super easy...and very addicting!...so you've been warned!...

first you'll need glass etching cream...i use armour etch...you can get it at michael's or joann's...so make sure you take a coupon!...because it's a little pricey...

then choose whatever surface you're wanting to etch...and clean it very throughly!...don't want anything on there like finger prints and smudges...that'll mess with the etching process...after i've cleaned...i put on gloves...that way i don't touch it accendentially...

i've done the tiles...mirrors...windows...glass doors on my entertainment center...ornaments...vases...wine glasses...glass blocks...casserole dishes...pretty much everything!...see..told you it was addicting!...

just a side note...if you're doing casserole dishes and containers like that...do not use pyrex!...it does not etch evenly..it's best to stick to the cheaper brands...like anchor...which is walmart brand...

then you'll need vinyl or contact paper and some blue painters tape...i've never used the contact paper...but i hear that people get great results with it...plus it's cheaper....

then cut your image out of the vinyl...peel away the backing...and stick to your surface...i find it much easier to use transfer tape...that way the image is all together and you don't have to worry about placing little pieces...the transfer tape is usually sold right beside the vinyl...

now...once the vinyl is placed on your surface...make sure all the edges are down...don't want anything to seep under...just keep rubbing your fingers over it...and if you're doing this without gloves...you'll want to take a paper towel and get all your smudges off...if you're doing something like the tiles...and don't want the edges etched...this is where you'll use your blue painters tape...run it all along the edge...and make sure it's tight with no lumps or bumps...

then grab your etching cream...i like to apply with a foam brush...for me...it gives the most even coating...pile on a a good amount!...you don't want to be able to really see your vinyl through the layer...make sure it's to all the egdes of the vinyl and tape...don't want any bare spots...then leave on for 5 to 10 minutes...sometimes 15...or longer if you forget about it like me!...

then with warm rinse all the cream off...peel off your tape...peel off your vinyl...and it should be all etched!...

hope i did an ok job explaining...if you have any questions...just let me know!...good luck...and i can't wait to see what you come up with!...

carrie aka greenbean

Where do you get your inspiration to make cards from?? mine..

comes from from many usual places.. so if your stuck for some inspiration I hope this this helps you

* magazines.. look at the colors, placement.. go with that

* go stand (take a drink) in front of the card aisle and just imagine what you could do with your cricut (because you know your cards are cuter anyhow...)  I've used my cell phone to take a pic if a certain card just WOW'd me....  (please don't tell..  lol)

* your computer/printer..(create your own patterned paper)  find a word or a few words that you may want to convey as the "message" or theme of the card and type it.. many times. each word you can change the size, font and highlight different words..  (ex: I did the word Merry Christmas many times on a piece of white cardstock. I made these words red, some green and a lot black. the word had many different fonts , some larger, some smaller..    I will use this as either as background on a card OR cut to size and will be my card..  THEN add a diecut, etc.. maybe punch the corners for a rounded look, and whalaa.. a card!

* with going with the above (printer/computer) pre ink your paper before putting it through the printer.. creates a neat look. get creative & use 2 or 3 colors.. (I do this for address labels)

* look through old scrapbook card magazines.. Look at the stickers, diecuts and even stamps.. What do you have (or someone else have) to replace it with a Cricut cartridges?

* How do you convey a message/title because you don't have that perfect saying??  1)hand write it yourself 2)type it on the computer and cut to size.  With all the fonts available on the computer and in stores as well as many of the independent companies (SU. CTMH, I think CM)  Lettering delights has MANY fonts and Creating Keepsakes...  Many offer free fonts. Google it too...

* Look at old cards you've received in the past..  Many ideas can come from this. 1) inspire a new idea 2) you can use the background of an old card and add a diecut , etc.. to create a new card!

* blog sites!!!  OMG!!  The cards you can find for inspirations are amazing! and with every site you visit, there is always more sites to link to..  I have given you o the left side lots of places to start.  EVERYDAY CRICUT  used to be Christmas with the cricut; therefore; look at older projects too.

* each other....  :) By coming to the SWARMS.. you can gain lots of inspirations! Participate in SWAPS..  Get an old file box, hat box and keep the cards you swap for future ideas.. I do this and/or I scan it into my computer with directions, etc...

What's you idea?? inspiration?  Share with us.....